"Horrific" sexual assault of 24-year-old prompts appeal

AN APPEAL for public assistance into the alleged attack of a 24-year-old Polish woman at Petrie late last year is being renewed, as police reveal more details of the alleged "horrific" sexual assault.

Detective Senior Constable Clinton Olsson said the alleged attack occurred about 9pm on November 25 while the woman was on a regular evening walk at the roundabout intersection of Dayboro Rd and Beeville Rd.

"(The alleged attack) was of a sexual nature and it was a serious category of that," he said.

Police said the alleged victim had extensive bruising to her face, both her eyes were bloodshot, her nose needed surgery to be repaired and she had bruising to most of her body.

Sen-Constable Olsson said it appeared to be "a completely random attack".

"It is very concerning, it was a very horrific attack," he said.

The 24-year-old woman returned home to Poland in early December but did stay longer than she planned to help police with the investigation.

"She seems to be in good spirits even after everything that did happen," Sen-Constable Olsson said.

He said police had observed all CCTV footage and had identified all people seen on it except for three. He appealed for those three people, or anyone who recognised them, to come forward.

"We are not saying they're suspects but we have to rule them out," he said.

"They might have seen something they might not think is important but could help in the investigation."

Police are wanting to identify three people seen in the suburb of Petrie on the night of an alleged sexual assault on November 25, 2016.

Detective Olsson also displayed a belt buckle, found unattached to a belt near where the assault occurred, and made a similar request for anyone with information on it to come forward.

Although the belt has a Star of David and crucifix symbols on it, he did not believe the attack was racially or religiously motivated.